A ballscrew assembly for an actuator is provided. In an embodiment, the ballscrew assembly includes a ball nut assembly including a view port; a ballscrew provided within at least a portion of the ball nut assembly; an inner rod provided within the ballscrew in the direction of the longitudinal axis, the inner rod including an enlarged end portion; and a compression mechanism, such that at least a portion of the compression mechanism is provided between the enlarged end portion and the ballscrew. In another embodiment the assembly is configured such that when the inner rod is in a failed state, the compression mechanism provides a force that moves the visual indicator toward the view port. In another embodiment, the assembly includes a proximity sensor in addition to, or in lieu, of a view port to detect a failure.
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1. A ballscrew assembly for an actuator, the ballscrew assembly comprising:
a ball nut assembly, including a ballscrew provided within at least a portion of the ball nut assembly, the ballscrew having a longitudinal axis, a fore end, and an aft end;
an inner rod provided within the ballscrew and extending in the direction of the longitudinal axis;
a proximity sensor positioned behind the aft end of the ballscrew;
wherein, in the event of inner rod separation or ballscrew separation, a spring force forces an aft portion of the separated inner rod or separated ballscrew toward the proximity sensor.
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The present invention relates generally to actuation systems, and to ball screw assemblies, including fail-safe ballscrew assemblies for use in connection with aircraft.
Modern aircraft include actuation systems. Such systems may include, among other things, components that are pivotally supported relative to portions of the airplane that are subject to adjustment by an operator or pilot. For instance, trimmable horizontal stabilizer actuators commonly consists of a primary ball nut assembly having a ball nut housing and a rotatable ballscrew extending axially through the housing. Rotation of the ballscrew is commonly accomplished by a motor and gearing.
Present technology does not allow for visual inspection or non-invasive detection of fail-safe features of fail-safe ballscrews having inner rods housed within the ballscrew, without actuator or component disassembly. Consequently, it is desirable to provide an assembly the permits improved detection of structural separation of a ballscrew inner rod.
A ballscrew assembly for an actuator is provided. In an embodiment, the ballscrew assembly includes a ball nut assembly; a ballscrew; an inner rod; and a compression mechanism. The ball nut assembly includes a view port, and the ballscrew is provided within at least a portion of the ball nut assembly. The inner rod is provided within the ballscrew in the direction of the longitudinal axis and includes an enlarged end portion. At least a portion of the compression mechanism is provided between the enlarged end portion and the ballscrew, the assembly being configured such that when the inner rod is in a failed state, the compression mechanism provides a force that moves the visual indicator toward the view port.
In another embodiment, the assembly includes a ball nut assembly, a ballscrew provided within at least a portion of the ball nut assembly, an inner rod within the ballscrew, and a proximity sensor. The proximity sensor may be positioned behind the ballscrew. The assembly may be configured such that, in the event of inner rod separation, a spring force forces an aft portion of the failed rod rearward toward the proximity sensor and the sensor detect a failure condition.
Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are described herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings. While the invention will be described in conjunction with embodiments, it will be understood that they are not intended to limit the invention to these embodiments. On the contrary, the invention is intended to cover alternatives, modifications and equivalents, which may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
A cross-sectional schematic view of a portion of a ball nut assembly 10 according to an embodiment of the invention is generally shown in
The illustrated ball nut assembly 10 includes a body portion 20, a ballscrew 30, an inner rod 40, a spring member 50, an indicator 60, and an opening or view port 70. As generally shown, in applications in which an inner rod 40 is contained or provided within the ballscrew 30 in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the ballscrew 30. The inner rod 40 may not be visible in an assembled/operative condition.
In an embodiment, inner rod 40 includes an enlarged end portion 42. At least a portion of the spring (or compression) member 50 may be provided between the enlarged end portion 42 and the ballscrew 30.
In an embodiment, spring member 50 may comprise a spring, such as for example a compression spring. However, other means for providing a similar compressive force may instead, or may additionally, be employed. Without limitation, in a specific embodiment the spring member 50 may include a high-lead, high-rate compression spring. The spring member 50 may be configured such that in normal operation the spring member 50 will be compressed, and the associated indicator 60 will be retained in a first [operational] position. In the event of failure—i.e., a structural failure of inner rod 40—the spring member 50 will no longer be restrained by the inner rod 40, and the spring member 50 will be released from its compressed state. In turn, the spring member 50 can release the indicator 60 from the first [operational] position to a second [failure] position.
In an embodiment, such as illustrated in
Additionally, whether the opening or view port 70 permits a portion of the indicator to pass through it, the indicator 60 may be provided to include one or more colors (e.g., red or a fluorescent color) for improved visibility.
Further, an associated viewing chamber 80, such as generally illustrated in
Additional aspects and features of embodiments of the invention that involve proximity-sensor-type configurations are generally illustrated in
Additional aspects of the invention are illustrated in connection with
In the event of inner rod 200 separation, aft spring mechanism 210 forces the aft portion of the failed inner rod 200 rearward towards at least one proximity sensor 118 (for example as generally illustrated in
Further, if the inner torque tube 160 fails, then the outer torque tube 130 can contain the inner torque tube 160 and help stop rotation—i.e., help provide lock-up.
In the event of a primary ballscrew 190 failure fracture, the forward spring mechanism 220 is configured to force the aft portion of the failed ballscrew 190 rearward toward at least one proximity sensor, which can identify and/or annunciate a failure event.
The present invention is not limited to a particular type or form of proximity sensor. As such, various conventional and other known proximity sensors or devices may be use to provide proximity identification and/or annunciation.
The inclusion of a proximity sensor (or a plurality of proximity sensors) in connection with the assembly 110 can eliminate the need for an inspection peep hole (such as an opening or view port). However, for some embodiments, additional redundancy may be desirable, and the proximity sensor-type configuration generally described in connection with the above embodiment may be used in addition to the indicator-type configuration generally described in connection with the earlier-described embodiment.
The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and various modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the claims appended hereto and their equivalents.
Cavalier, Donald R., Maines, Garen R.
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Executed on | Assignor | Assignee | Conveyance | Frame | Reel | Doc |
Dec 23 2008 | CAVALIER, DONALD R | Eaton Corporation | ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS | 022041 | /0511 | |
Dec 27 2008 | MAINES, GAREN R | Eaton Corporation | ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS | 022041 | /0511 | |
Dec 30 2008 | Eaton Corporation | (assignment on the face of the patent) | / | |||
Dec 31 2017 | Eaton Corporation | EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITED | ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS | 048855 | /0626 |
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